Method and system for time compensation of re-writable optical media write parameters

ABSTRACT

An optical medium storage device improves the usable life of re-writable optical storage mediums, such CD-RW, DVD+RW and DVD-RAM disks, by adjusting write parameters to compensate for time between an initial write on the optical storage medium and the current time, with adjusted write parameters fine-tuning signal-to-noise ratios and improving the number of reliable overwrites for the optical storage medium. A time compensator determines the time delta between an initial write on the optical storage medium, such as formatting of the medium, and the current time, and then applies the time delta to determine a time compensation factor that adjust the write parameters of a focused laser beam that writes information to the optical storage medium.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 10/361,284,filed on Feb. 10, 2003 now U.S. Pat. No. 6,912,187 entitled “Method andSystem for Time Compensation of Re-Writeable Optical Media WriteParameters” and naming Christiaan Steenbergen as inventor.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates in general to the field of re-writableoptical media, and more particularly to a method and system for timecompensation of re-writable optical media write parameters.

2. Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

Information handling systems continually improve in the ability of bothhardware components and software applications to generate and manageinformation. As the amount of information generated by informationhandling systems increases, storage of generated information presents anincreased challenge. One solution for storing information in removablemedia is provided by re-writable optical storage media, such as CD-RW,DVD+RW and DVD-RAM disks, which manage information in much the samemanner as magnetic floppy disks. Re-writable optical storage media usephase change technology to “burn” information into a disk by alteringthe reflectivity of the disk material. A recording layer is included inthe disk and made of phase change material that exhibits two solidphases at room temperature with different optical reflective properties.Information is stored by switching between the two phases with a focusedlaser beam that is pulsed in specific sequences in which the intensityand duration are varied to selectively alter the phase change materialinto the two phases. The information is read from the disk byilluminating the phase change material at low power with the focusedlaser and measuring the reflectivity of the phase change material. Mostrewritable optical storage media withstand approximately 1000 rewritesbefore the written bit boundaries acquire too much noise for reliableread back. Some media, such as DVD-RAM withstand over 100,000 rewrites.In the following, the 1000 rewrite example will be used fordemonstrative purposes.

One problem with re-writable optical storage media is that differentmedia types and phase change materials can have varied phase changeproperties over time. In particular, phase change recording layers forhigher speed recording are difficult to design since the melting,cooling and annealing properties of the materials have to be balanced.For example, with currently available phase change materials, recordingspeeds over 4 Mbytes/s, equal to 32× CD-RW or 4× DVD+RW, result in lessconsistent rewrite properties and different write requirements whenrecording for the first time versus subsequent recording. Under suchconditions, if an optical storage medium is consistently recorded withthe same initial power conditions, information stored on the opticalstorage medium becomes less reliable with a lower signal-to-noise ratioand the practical number of rewrites becomes substantially reduced, suchas reduced from 1000 specified re-writes to less than 100 actuallysupported re-writes. Moreover, optimal recording subsequent to aninitial recording often exhibits different responses with different timeperiods between the initial recording and the subsequent recording.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore a need has arisen for a method and system which adjustsoptical storage medium write parameters to compensate for variationsover time in the properties of phase change materials used by theoptical storage medium to store information.

In accordance with the present invention, a method and system areprovided which substantially reduce the disadvantages and problemsassociated with previous methods and systems for recording informationon an optical storage medium. Write parameters for writing informationto the optical storage medium are adjusted to compensate for changes inrecording properties based on the time delta between writes on theoptical storage medium.

More specifically, a time compensator associated with an optical mediumstorage device adjusts write parameters used by the storage device towrite information compensated for changes to that medium over time. Thetime compensator determines the time delta between a current write and aprevious write by reading a time stamp from the optical storage mediumand comparing the time stamp with the current time. For instance, a timestamp is stored on an optical storage medium at formatting of theoptical storage medium or some other initial write of information. Thetime compensation factor adjusts one or more write parameters, such asrecording power or pulse duration, by reference to a write parameterstable or with generic adjustments in order to fine tune subsequentrecordings based on the time delta to improve signal-to-noise ratio andthe number of available overwrites to re-writable optical storage mediaincluding CD-RW, DVD-RAM and DVD+RW disks.

The present invention provides a number of important technicaladvantages. One example of an important technical advantage is thatoptical storage medium write parameters are adjusted to compensate forvariations over time in the properties of recorded phase changematerials used by the optical storage medium to store information.Adjusting write parameters allows fine-tuning of information recordingbased upon a timed delta between writes to improve signal-to-noise ratioand the number of reliable overwrites achievable on a given opticalstorage medium. Storage of a time stamp at format of the optical storagemedium provides a convenient reference to determine the time deltabetween an initial write and a subsequent write.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings. The use of the samereference number throughout the several figures designates a like orsimilar element.

FIG. 1 depicts a block diagram of an information handling system andtime compensated optical storage device; and

FIG. 2 depicts a flow diagram of a process for time compensated writingof information to a re-writable optical medium.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Time stamps stored on a re-writable optical storage medium are comparedwith current time information to determine a time compensation factorfor writing information to the optical medium. An optical storage deviceof an information handling system adjusts write parameters with the timecompensation factor to fine tune writing of information from theinformation handling system to the optical storage medium. For purposesof this application, an information handling system may include anyinstrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operable to compute,classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate, switch,store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, or utilizeany form of information, intelligence, or data for business, scientific,control, or other purposes. For example, an information handling systemmay be a personal computer, a network storage device, or any othersuitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance, functionality,and price. The information handling system may include random accessmemory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as a centralprocessing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic, ROM, and/orother types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components of theinformation handling system may include one or more disk drives, one ormore network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

Referring now to FIG. 1, block diagram of an information handling system10 having a time compensated optical medium storage device 12 isdepicted. Information handling system 10 includes components thatgenerate information for storage on an optical storage medium 26 byoptical medium storage device 12. For instance, applications running ona CPU 14 coordinate with BIOS 16, RAM 18, hard disk drive 20 and chipset 22 to transfer generated information through bus 24 to opticalmedium storage device 12 for storage on optical medium 26. A focusedlaser 28 moves across optical medium 26 to write generated informationby pulsing a focused laser beam in specific sequences with a selectivelyset pulse intensity and duration. The focused laser beam “burns” theinformation onto the optical storage medium as a string of data pointshaving varying reflectivity and/or duration readable as the informationby laser beam 28 at a low power.

Optical storage medium 26 is a re-writable medium, such as a CD-RW,DVD-RAM or DVD+RW disk, that has a recording layer made of phase changematerial. Focused laser 28 alters the phase change material by switchingbetween phases to change the reflective optical properties and recordthe information. A write engine 32 selects write parameters for focusedlaser 28 to heat the phase change material to produce desiredreflectivity properties. A write parameter table 32 stores writeparameters associated with different types of disks or phase changematerials so that focused laser 28 writes information with anappropriate laser beam. For instance, write parameters include writepower, pulse width, timing and step power. The phase change materialalters its response to focused laser 28 over time when the response ofthe material at a first write is compared with the response of thematerial at subsequent writes. After a number of writes, repeatedmelting, cooling and annealing of the phase change material leads towear-out of the material, failure of the recording to or read back fromthe optical medium.

A time compensator 34 interfaces with write engine 30 to adjust thewrite parameters applied to focused laser 28 in order to compensate forvariations in the response of phase change material to the focused laserbeam due to the time delta between the first write on the optical mediumand the current time. Time compensator 34 keeps current time and/orpolls information handling system host 10 for current time to comparewith a time stamp. Write engine 30 reads a time stamp stored on opticalstorage medium 26 that indicates the time of the initial write onoptical storage medium 26. For instance, on initial use of an opticalstorage medium, a format engine 36 writes the current time as the timestamp to a non-user accessible area of the optical storage medium, suchas areas allocated in optical storage specifications for use by themanufacturers of optical storage media or optical storage mediumdevices. Time compensator 34 determines a time delta for the opticalstorage medium by determining the amount of time that has passed betweeninitial write indicated by the time stamp and the current time. The timedelta determines a time compensation factor that adjusts the writeparameters used by write engine 30 to write the information to opticalstorage medium 26. For instance, write power is adjusted up or down froma base-line write power with the size of the adjustment related to thelength of the time delta. As another example, specific media or phasechange material types have time compensation factors stored in writeparameter table 32. Time compensation factors are, for instance,determined by experimentation with samples of media to fine-tune thewrite parameters to minimize signal-to-noise ratios and increase thenumber of available overwrites over the life span of an optical storagemedium.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a flow diagram depicts a process for timecompensated writing of information to a re-writable optical storagemedium. The process begins at step 38 with detection of a re-writableoptical storage medium for the writing of information inserted in theoptical medium storage device. At step 40, a determination is made ofwhether the optical storage medium is formatted. If no, then the opticalstorage medium has not had an initial write and the process proceeds tostep 42 for formatting of the optical storage medium, including storinga time stamp with the current time. At step 44, the process continueswith the writing of the information to the optical storage medium usingbase-line write parameters, for instance by setting the time delta tozero, and the process ends at step 52.

If at step 40 a determination is made that the optical storage medium isformatted, the process continues to step 46 to read the time stampstored on the optical storage medium at the format time. If no timestamp is found, the time delta is set to zero or, alternatively, a timestamp is estimated from dates associated with stored data. At step 48, atime compensation factor is determined by determining the time deltabetween the formatted time stamp and the current time, and by thenapplying the time delta to the optical storage medium type. Forinstance, a time compensation factor for a detected optical mediumstorage type is looked up in the write parameter table based on thecomputed time delta. At step 50, the information is written to theoptical storage medium with the time compensated write parameters sothat the focused laser fine-tunes writes by the focused laser beam toreduce signal-to-noise ratios and increase optical storage medium lifespan. Once the information is written, the process ends at step 52.

Although the present invention has been described in detail, it shouldbe understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can bemade hereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the inventionas defined by the appended claims.

1. An information handling system for writing information to an opticalmedium, the optical medium having a user accessible area and a userinaccessible area, the information handling system comprising:components operable to generate the information; an optical storagedevice operable to write the generated information to the opticalstorage medium with selectable write parameters; and a time compensatorassociated with the optical storage device and operable to read a timestamp from the user inaccessible area of the optical storage medium foruse with information associated with the user accessible area.
 2. Theinformation handling system of claim 1 wherein the time compensator isfurther operable to determine if a time stamp is absent from the userinaccessible are of the optical storage medium and to write a time stampif absent.
 3. The information handling system of claim 1 wherein theoptical storage medium comprises a re-writable medium.
 4. Theinformation handling system of claim 3 wherein the re-writable opticalstorage medium comprises a DVD+RW disk.
 5. The information handlingsystem of claim 3 wherein the re-writable optical storage mediumcomprises a CD-RW disk.
 6. A method for interfacing with an opticalmedium, the method comprising: determining a time stamp associated witha user inaccessible area of the optical medium; and applying the timestamp to manage information associated with a user accessible area ofthe optical medium.
 7. The method of claim 6 further comprising:determining that a time stamp is not stored on the user inaccessiblearea of the optical medium; and writing the current time in the userinaccessible area of the optical medium as the time stamp.
 8. The methodof claim 7 wherein determining that a time stamp is not stored on theuser inaccessible area of the optical medium further comprisesdetermining that the optical medium is not formatted and storing thecurrent time on the optical medium as the time stamp further comprisesformatting the optical medium to include the time stamp in the userinaccessible area.
 9. The method of claim 6 wherein applying the timestamp further comprises writing information to the optical medium withwrite parameters adjusted for a time compensation factor determined fromthe time stamp.
 10. The method of claim 6 wherein the optical mediumcomprises a DVD+RW disk.
 11. The method of claim 6 wherein there-writable optical medium comprises a CD-RW disk.
 12. An optical mediumstorage device comprising: a laser operable to read information from anoptical medium and to write information to a user accessible area of theoptical medium with write parameters determined at least in part frominformation read from a user inaccessible area of the optical medium; awrite engine interfaced with the laser and operable to command thewriting of information at selected write parameters and the reading ofinformation; and a time compensator interfaced with the write engine andoperable to read a time stamp from the user inaccessible area of theoptical medium at least in part by applying the time stamp.
 13. Theoptical medium storage device of claim 12 wherein the time stampcomprises the time of the first write to the optical medium.
 14. Theoptical medium storage device of claim 12 wherein the optical mediumcomprises a DVD+RW disk.
 15. The optical medium storage device of claim12 wherein the optical medium comprises a DVD-RAM disk.
 16. The opticalmedium storage device of claim 12 wherein the optical medium comprises aCD-RW disk.
 17. An optical medium comprising: a user accessible areaoperable to store information as marks generated by a laser, the markshaving varied reflectivity; a non-user accessible area allocated for useby the manufacturer of the optical medium; and a time stamp stored inthe non-user accessible area.